ABOUT WENDY NIXON STOTHERT
Choral Valley Retreats, Festivals, and Workshops is spearheaded by Wendy Nixon Stothert. She feels fortunate to have some amazing friends collaborating with her on this project.
Wendy Nixon Stothert, B.Ed, M.EdL, began playing piano and singing at age 6 and was hooked on music from then on. She is currently the choral conductor for 5 adult community choirs, including the 3 Just in Time Choirs, the Canadian Military Wives Choir Comox, and the choir at the Berwick Retirement Community. Wendy collaborates with fellow director, Jenn Forsland, to lead the CV Pop-Up Choir, a fun-focused one night, one pop song, drop-in choir. She has taught K-12 Music, Band and Choir in the Comox Valley school district. As a performer, you can hear Wendy sing as a soloist, leading Resonate Custom Live Music, and with the vocal jazz quartet, Swing Set.
A life-long learner at heart, Wendy completed her Masters of Educational Leadership degree at Vancouver Island University in 2012, being awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for academic achievement. Wendy's Masters degree inquiry centered on Music Performance Anxiety in choral singers. Aside from spending quality time with her husband and two daughters, facilitating rewarding singing experiences with people to help spread positivity through music is one of her greatest joys.
Wendy's Masters degree inquiry focused on Music Performance Anxiety in choral singers. Her articles on the subject have appeared in journals such as Canadian Music Educator Journal, BC Music Educator Journal, and Choral Director Magazine (www.choraldirectormag.com/2350/articles/performance/musical-performance-anxiety/), and Chorus America https://www.chorusamerica.org/singers/overcoming-musical-performance-anxiety.
One of Wendy's career highlights to date was conducting 190 singers from 9 Canadian Military Wives Choirs in the Opening Ceremonies of the Invictus Games 2017 in Toronto. Wendy is available as a clinician for workshops and festivals.
"Wendy Nixon Stothert was selected to direct the combined Canadian Military Wives Choirs at the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto on September 23, 2017. Wendy had only one day of rehearsals to work with nearly 200 women from eight different choirs from across the country. Wendy’s energy, enthusiasm and passion for teaching music were evident from the start as she captured the attention of every woman in the room. In a very short period of time, through a series of fun and educational vocal exercises and warm-ups, Wendy had created a beautiful, unified sound making it seem like the women had sung together for many years. Wendy proved to be a very friendly, caring, and patient leader and was the perfect choice to successfully lead the women of the combined Canadian Military Wives Choirs in a very high-profile international event."
Wendy Nixon Stothert, B.Ed, M.EdL, began playing piano and singing at age 6 and was hooked on music from then on. She is currently the choral conductor for 5 adult community choirs, including the 3 Just in Time Choirs, the Canadian Military Wives Choir Comox, and the choir at the Berwick Retirement Community. Wendy collaborates with fellow director, Jenn Forsland, to lead the CV Pop-Up Choir, a fun-focused one night, one pop song, drop-in choir. She has taught K-12 Music, Band and Choir in the Comox Valley school district. As a performer, you can hear Wendy sing as a soloist, leading Resonate Custom Live Music, and with the vocal jazz quartet, Swing Set.
A life-long learner at heart, Wendy completed her Masters of Educational Leadership degree at Vancouver Island University in 2012, being awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for academic achievement. Wendy's Masters degree inquiry centered on Music Performance Anxiety in choral singers. Aside from spending quality time with her husband and two daughters, facilitating rewarding singing experiences with people to help spread positivity through music is one of her greatest joys.
Wendy's Masters degree inquiry focused on Music Performance Anxiety in choral singers. Her articles on the subject have appeared in journals such as Canadian Music Educator Journal, BC Music Educator Journal, and Choral Director Magazine (www.choraldirectormag.com/2350/articles/performance/musical-performance-anxiety/), and Chorus America https://www.chorusamerica.org/singers/overcoming-musical-performance-anxiety.
One of Wendy's career highlights to date was conducting 190 singers from 9 Canadian Military Wives Choirs in the Opening Ceremonies of the Invictus Games 2017 in Toronto. Wendy is available as a clinician for workshops and festivals.
"Wendy Nixon Stothert was selected to direct the combined Canadian Military Wives Choirs at the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto on September 23, 2017. Wendy had only one day of rehearsals to work with nearly 200 women from eight different choirs from across the country. Wendy’s energy, enthusiasm and passion for teaching music were evident from the start as she captured the attention of every woman in the room. In a very short period of time, through a series of fun and educational vocal exercises and warm-ups, Wendy had created a beautiful, unified sound making it seem like the women had sung together for many years. Wendy proved to be a very friendly, caring, and patient leader and was the perfect choice to successfully lead the women of the combined Canadian Military Wives Choirs in a very high-profile international event."
PAST Clinicians
ABOUT ALLISON GIRVAN
Allison Girvan’s music career has seen experience as a professional singer, arranger, director, and clinician. She has been a featured soloist on recordings and in performance with ensembles including musica intima, Elektra Women’s Choir, The Vancouver Chamber Choir, the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and as a vocalist for studio sessions for radio, T.V. and feature film. Allison has worked extensively with Canadian Celtic Tenor, John McDermott, on recordings, international tours, and the PBS specials, A Time to Remember and Sharing Christmas. Her debut solo cd, Resonance, combining her love of world music and her love of languages, was released in 2007 and the follow up cd, Fishing By the Light of the Ancestors was released in 2014.
Allison lives in Nelson, B.C. where she continues to perform and record, though her greatest passion is working with youth.
She is the director of the youth choirs, VoixVive and Solstice, as well as the teen group, Corazón Vocal Ensemble and young adult choir, Lalin. The city has named Allison as Nelson’s Cultural Ambassador for 2019.
Allison lives in Nelson, B.C. where she continues to perform and record, though her greatest passion is working with youth.
She is the director of the youth choirs, VoixVive and Solstice, as well as the teen group, Corazón Vocal Ensemble and young adult choir, Lalin. The city has named Allison as Nelson’s Cultural Ambassador for 2019.
Past Years' Clinicians
ABOUT DAWN PEMBERTON
Vibrant, genuine and soulful, Dawn Pemberton has deep musical roots that take her powerful voice from gospel and soul to jazz, funk and world music. She has become a staple of the Vancouver music scene and can often be found tearin’ it up as a vocalist, teacher, facilitator, choir director and “go to girl” for live performances and studio sessions. She currently directs the Roots ‘N’ Wings Women’s Choir and teaches masterclasses and workshops all over Canada. A passionate educator and performer, Dawn is extremely committed to developing and implementing fun, inspiring, accessible and educational musical experiences for people of all ages.
ABOUT SCOTT LEITHEAD
Scott Leithead is the founder and Artistic Director of Edmonton's Kokopelli Choir Association and TIME Jazz Association. He has been invited to conduct provincial and state honour choirs on twenty-one occasions and he has presented workshops in North America and beyond. Notable appearances include: conducting the Alberta Youth Choir for the Alberta Choral Federation’s 40th Anniversary; conducting the 2013 and 2015 Ellison Canadian National Honour Choir; and adjudicating at both the ACCC National Competition for Amateur Canadian Choirs and the Kathaumixw International Choir Festival.
Scott has a passion for music from southern Africa and he has been invited to work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia on numerous occasions. In 2008, Scott was on sabbatical in Namibia where he worked with the Mascato Youth Choir and many other choirs in southern Africa. Scott’s passion for innovative and unique choral music experiences has shaped the direction of the Kokopelli Choir Association. Scott is the Vice Chairman of Choral/Vocal Division for MusicFest Canada and he is a longtime member of the advisory committee for the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival. He also sits on the board for the Brail Tone Music Society (for persons with disabilities) and three additional national boards in Canada, as well as the National Youth Music and Art Development Foundation of South Africa. In 2015/6 he will present clinics and workshops across Canada and return to conduct numerous honour choirs including the 2016 Ellison Canadian Honour Choir, The Louis Riel School Division Honour Choir (Winnipeg) and the Western ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Youth Honour Choir in Seattle. In addition he conducted the choir of 1000 at the 2016 International Kathaumixw in Powell River BC.
Scott has a passion for music from southern Africa and he has been invited to work with choirs in South Africa and Namibia on numerous occasions. In 2008, Scott was on sabbatical in Namibia where he worked with the Mascato Youth Choir and many other choirs in southern Africa. Scott’s passion for innovative and unique choral music experiences has shaped the direction of the Kokopelli Choir Association. Scott is the Vice Chairman of Choral/Vocal Division for MusicFest Canada and he is a longtime member of the advisory committee for the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival. He also sits on the board for the Brail Tone Music Society (for persons with disabilities) and three additional national boards in Canada, as well as the National Youth Music and Art Development Foundation of South Africa. In 2015/6 he will present clinics and workshops across Canada and return to conduct numerous honour choirs including the 2016 Ellison Canadian Honour Choir, The Louis Riel School Division Honour Choir (Winnipeg) and the Western ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Youth Honour Choir in Seattle. In addition he conducted the choir of 1000 at the 2016 International Kathaumixw in Powell River BC.
ABOUT DR. JIM SPARKS
Jim Sparks serves as adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia School of Music (UBC Choirs) and director of music at the Langley Fine Arts School (LFAS) in Fort Langley, British Columbia. With a PhD in Philosophy (Simon Fraser University) and Masters of Music Degree in Choral Conducting (University of Arizona), and undergraduate degree in Piano and Voice (University of British Columbia), Jim has taught all levels of choirs in BC as choral director and vocal coach. Jim is currently a research affiliate with the MODAL Research Group at Simon Fraser University and also heads the Learning Engagement Division of Music Mentors International (mmiachieve.com).
The roles of researcher, musician/conductor, and singing teacher have converged and influenced Jim’s research in music education toward bridging the gaps that exist between research and music pedagogy, research and music performance, and professional musicians and music education. With support from the Canada Council, the Canadian Music Educators Association, the AIRS collaborative initiative and Simon Fraser University, Jim has pursued collaborative singing research with several choral leaders in the world: Alina Orraca, Havana, Cuba (Schola Cantorum Coralina); Joseph Muyale Inzai, (National Boys Choir of Kenya); renowned Ukrainian choral conductor, Anatoliy Avdievski in Kiev, Ukraine (Veriovka Choir); Wes Janzen, (Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus); and Helle Hoyer in Aarhus, Denmark (Aarhus Pigakor Choir).
In demand as an adjudicator and guest conductor, Jim’s work continues in Europe, Kenya, Cuba and Brazil, where in July 2015, Jim is keynote speaker at CIEMS, the international conference of music education, and guest conductor of Eurochestries in Sobral, Brazil, one of the several international youth choir and orchestra festivals held in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil in 2015.
The roles of researcher, musician/conductor, and singing teacher have converged and influenced Jim’s research in music education toward bridging the gaps that exist between research and music pedagogy, research and music performance, and professional musicians and music education. With support from the Canada Council, the Canadian Music Educators Association, the AIRS collaborative initiative and Simon Fraser University, Jim has pursued collaborative singing research with several choral leaders in the world: Alina Orraca, Havana, Cuba (Schola Cantorum Coralina); Joseph Muyale Inzai, (National Boys Choir of Kenya); renowned Ukrainian choral conductor, Anatoliy Avdievski in Kiev, Ukraine (Veriovka Choir); Wes Janzen, (Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus); and Helle Hoyer in Aarhus, Denmark (Aarhus Pigakor Choir).
In demand as an adjudicator and guest conductor, Jim’s work continues in Europe, Kenya, Cuba and Brazil, where in July 2015, Jim is keynote speaker at CIEMS, the international conference of music education, and guest conductor of Eurochestries in Sobral, Brazil, one of the several international youth choir and orchestra festivals held in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil in 2015.
ABOUT DR. GEOFFREY BOERS
Dr. Geoffrey Boers is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he is the Mary K. Shepman Endowed Professor of Music. Under his direction, the choral program at the University of Washington has grown to include nearly twenty graduate choral conductors each year, as well as nine ensembles conducted by five faculty and many graduate students, with nearly 600 singers participating.
Geoffrey conducts the UW Chamber Singers, the university's premier ensemble of graduate and advanced singers. The Chamber Singers performs nationally and internationally, most recently having returned from Hungary for a concert tour. Last Spring, the choir performed Monteverdi's rarely heard masterpiece, 1610 Vespers. He also teaches graduate choral conducting and choral pedagogy, and serves as faculty advisor as part of the graduate choral curriculum. He is the recipient of the University of Washington's prestigious Royalty Research Foundation Grant, which allowed him to travel to the Baltic region and to establish the UW Baltic Choral Music Library, the first of its kind in the United States.
Geoffrey maintains an active conducting, teaching, workshop and clinic schedule. Recent engagements have taken him to Australia, mainland China, Thailand, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall, and Kennedy Center, where he serves as Artistic Director for the Washington D.C. Choral Festival. He especially enjoys working with conductors and their choirs with focus on building communication through gesture and expressivity, and building community within the ensemble. Geoffrey is also exploring the idea spirare, or the connection between breath and spirit, in disciplines as far reaching as Yoga , Tai Chi and world faith systems. This study is leading to evolving thoughts of gesture as it relates to breath, evocation of sound, and touching the heart.
Geoffrey conducts the UW Chamber Singers, the university's premier ensemble of graduate and advanced singers. The Chamber Singers performs nationally and internationally, most recently having returned from Hungary for a concert tour. Last Spring, the choir performed Monteverdi's rarely heard masterpiece, 1610 Vespers. He also teaches graduate choral conducting and choral pedagogy, and serves as faculty advisor as part of the graduate choral curriculum. He is the recipient of the University of Washington's prestigious Royalty Research Foundation Grant, which allowed him to travel to the Baltic region and to establish the UW Baltic Choral Music Library, the first of its kind in the United States.
Geoffrey maintains an active conducting, teaching, workshop and clinic schedule. Recent engagements have taken him to Australia, mainland China, Thailand, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall, and Kennedy Center, where he serves as Artistic Director for the Washington D.C. Choral Festival. He especially enjoys working with conductors and their choirs with focus on building communication through gesture and expressivity, and building community within the ensemble. Geoffrey is also exploring the idea spirare, or the connection between breath and spirit, in disciplines as far reaching as Yoga , Tai Chi and world faith systems. This study is leading to evolving thoughts of gesture as it relates to breath, evocation of sound, and touching the heart.
ABOUT DR. GRAEME LANGAGER
Dr. Graeme Langager is Director of Choral Activities at the UBC School of Music. He has held similar positions at the University of Arkansas and at Cuesta College in California. A native of Lethbridge, Alberta, Dr. Langager received the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He studied conducting under Earl Rivers, Stephen Coker, Lynn Bielefelt, and Marc Hafso, and received additional training from Helmut Rilling, Anton Armstrong, Thomas Davies, John Alexander, and Robert Page.
Dr. Langager has taught across the United States – in California, Ohio, North Carolina and Arkansas – at the high school, college, and university levels. He is sought after as a clinician and guest conductor, and is an active composer and arranger. Dr. Langager has served on the national board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization, and on the boards of the Arkansas and California Chapters of the American Choral Directors Association.
Dr. Langager’s choirs have been invited to perform at ACDA, MENC, All-State, and IAJE conferences. His choirs have performed throughout Europe and the United States including such prestigious venues as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Stefansdom in Vienna, Notre Dame in Paris, St. Nicholas in Prague, and St. Stephen’s in Budapest.
Dr. Langager has taught across the United States – in California, Ohio, North Carolina and Arkansas – at the high school, college, and university levels. He is sought after as a clinician and guest conductor, and is an active composer and arranger. Dr. Langager has served on the national board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization, and on the boards of the Arkansas and California Chapters of the American Choral Directors Association.
Dr. Langager’s choirs have been invited to perform at ACDA, MENC, All-State, and IAJE conferences. His choirs have performed throughout Europe and the United States including such prestigious venues as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Stefansdom in Vienna, Notre Dame in Paris, St. Nicholas in Prague, and St. Stephen’s in Budapest.
ABOUT DR. ADAM CON
Dr. Adam Jonathan Con is a conductor, a visionary, a respected teacher of conducting, and a leader in the advocacy of music education. A native of Vancouver and a third generation Chinese Canadian, his holistic approach to choral music through a unique blend of kinesthetic whole body movement and eastern philosophy continues to inspire singers of all ages in mind, body and spirit. His motto is “Music is more than notes in motion; music is notes in Emotion.”
Dr. Con earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (Secondary Instrumental and Choral) and a Master’s Degree in Music Education (Elementary) from the University of British Columbia. At Florida State University, he earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (Choral Conducting Emphasis) studying with Rodney Eichenberger, Andre Thomas, Clifford Madsen and Judy Bowers. Dr. Con is also certified in Orff Schulwerk. In high demand in the United States and Canada both as a guest conductor and choral conducting teacher, Dr. Con has presented at prestigious events such as the National American Orff-Schulwerk Conference, the National Canadian Choral Conducting Symposium, the National Canadian GALA Conference, the Georgia State American Choral Directors Association Conference, and the Georgia Music Educator’s Conference. His talent and ability to work with all levels of musical experience is grounded in 15 years of diverse K-12 public school music teaching which includes Orff, Kodály, and Dalcroze based general music, French immersion music, middle and secondary school choral, vocal jazz, concert band and jazz band. His professional conducting experiences include civic orchestras, professional musical theatre, community choirs, concert bands, and 28 years as a church choir director and organist. Currently, Dr. Con is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Victoria.
Dr. Con earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education (Secondary Instrumental and Choral) and a Master’s Degree in Music Education (Elementary) from the University of British Columbia. At Florida State University, he earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (Choral Conducting Emphasis) studying with Rodney Eichenberger, Andre Thomas, Clifford Madsen and Judy Bowers. Dr. Con is also certified in Orff Schulwerk. In high demand in the United States and Canada both as a guest conductor and choral conducting teacher, Dr. Con has presented at prestigious events such as the National American Orff-Schulwerk Conference, the National Canadian Choral Conducting Symposium, the National Canadian GALA Conference, the Georgia State American Choral Directors Association Conference, and the Georgia Music Educator’s Conference. His talent and ability to work with all levels of musical experience is grounded in 15 years of diverse K-12 public school music teaching which includes Orff, Kodály, and Dalcroze based general music, French immersion music, middle and secondary school choral, vocal jazz, concert band and jazz band. His professional conducting experiences include civic orchestras, professional musical theatre, community choirs, concert bands, and 28 years as a church choir director and organist. Currently, Dr. Con is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Victoria.
ABOUT JANET WARREN
Janet Warren, recipient of the British Columbia Music Educator’s Professional Music Educator Award, is recognized nationally for her work in both traditional repertoire and vocal jazz. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, she completed the Diploma in Music Education in 2000. Recently retired from teaching in North Vancouver, she is presently a Faculty Advisor for UBC, working with pre-service teachers at both elementary and secondary levels. Ms. Warren enjoys a variety of adjudicating and clinic experiences which continue to take her throughout Western Canada and as far as Japan. Two career highlights for Ms. Warren have been conducting the BC Music Educator’s Provincial Honour Vocal Jazz Ensemble and directing the BC Choral Federation’s Provincial Youth Choir. She was honoured by colleagues in North Vancouver with the Award of Excellence, and was named 2004 Teacher of the Year by the Sylvan Learning Center. For twenty-two years, Ms. Warren organized the Sea-to-Sky Choral Festival; she formed and has conducted Higher Ground Women’s Vocal Ensemble for ten years. Since retirement, Ms. Warren has been performing as a solo singer, has appeared in several live shows, and is featured on the locally produced CD "A Time To Heal". Other interests include travel (notably cycling internationally), dragon boating, and two awesome grand-daughters. Choral conducting continues to be Ms. Warren’s favourite and most creative musical outlet.
ABOUT FRANCES ROBERTS
Frances Roberts has spent the past twenty five years teaching secondary choral music at Argyle Secondary, North Vancouver where she directs 4 concert choirs and 2 vocal jazz/ chamber ensembles. She is on faculty at the West Coast Amateur Musicians Family Summer Camp and at the Naramata Centre - Music Week for the United Church of Canada. She is also the director for Genesis II Youth Choir at Highlands United Church.
Over the years her school choirs have toured extensively : within North America, Europe, China, U.K. and the Baltics. Her choirs have been fortunate enough to be selected to appear with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir and workshop with Bob Chilcott, Simon Carrington, Robert Sund and Eric Whitacre . Thanks to Musicfest Vancouver the Argyle Senior Vocal Ensemble workshopped with “Rajaton” from Finland, “The Idea of North” from Australia and the “Swingle Singers” from U.K.
As a result of her outstanding work, Frances is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor and has presented workshops for BCMEA, BCCF, the Alberta Choral Federation, and the Association of Canadian Choral Communities. Most recently she was the director of the BC Youth Choir at ChorFest 2013 in Nanaimo and the Kamloops School District Honor Choir . She adjudicates extensively throughout Alberta and B.C. at choral and vocal festivals for all ages. She is known for her dynamism and personal skills as a vocal pedagogue that enables her students to find their own voice. She recently graduated from UBC with her Masters in Music - Choral Conducting with Dr. Graeme Langager.
Over the years her school choirs have toured extensively : within North America, Europe, China, U.K. and the Baltics. Her choirs have been fortunate enough to be selected to appear with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir and workshop with Bob Chilcott, Simon Carrington, Robert Sund and Eric Whitacre . Thanks to Musicfest Vancouver the Argyle Senior Vocal Ensemble workshopped with “Rajaton” from Finland, “The Idea of North” from Australia and the “Swingle Singers” from U.K.
As a result of her outstanding work, Frances is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor and has presented workshops for BCMEA, BCCF, the Alberta Choral Federation, and the Association of Canadian Choral Communities. Most recently she was the director of the BC Youth Choir at ChorFest 2013 in Nanaimo and the Kamloops School District Honor Choir . She adjudicates extensively throughout Alberta and B.C. at choral and vocal festivals for all ages. She is known for her dynamism and personal skills as a vocal pedagogue that enables her students to find their own voice. She recently graduated from UBC with her Masters in Music - Choral Conducting with Dr. Graeme Langager.
ABOUT GEORDIE ROBERTS
George “Geordie” Roberts was born in Enderby. He is a graduate of the School of Music UBC and the Vancouver Academy of Music. In thirteen seasons with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, he was a frequent soloist in concert, on recordings and in many CBC radio broadcasts. Geordie also performed with the a capella quartet “Fourtissimo” for 10 years, specializing in vocal jazz and Renaissance repertoire. His solo career has included engagements with Early Music Vancouver, Trinity Western University, the Vancouver Symphony, Masterpiece Music, Festival Vancouver and many community organizations in the Lower Mainland. For 21 summers, George has been the vocal instructor at the West Coast Family Music Festival in Langley and now Squamish, offering group instruction in vocal technique, song interpretation and diction for singers. in May 2000, he was honoured to be the conductor of the Provinical Youth Choir in Victoria and in May 2003, he was the conductor at the Provincial Seniors’ Chorfest in North Vancouver. He has twice conducted massed choirs for the United Churches of the Lower Mainland anniversary worship services. He is a faculty member at Capilano University Music Department, North Vancouver, and the Co-ordinator of Music at Highlands United Church, North Vancouver He regularly presents solo recitals and is highly regarded for his ease of production and expressive singing. In addition to keeping busy singing, teaching and conducting, George is also a gifted accompanist and coach. A published composer and arranger, George’s choral music is available on the Cypress label. Geordie makes his home in North Vancouver with his wife, Frances, and sons, Aidan and Garreth and Liam.
ABOUT BRIAN TATE
Brian Tate is an award-winning composer, as well as an accomplished and versatile musician, choir director, and educator, Brian attributes the success of his multifaceted career to a love of working with people and a passion for the arts.Brian received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, and went on to further music studies in London, England, and Toronto. His love for music of many kinds has led to a diverse career that includes orchestral and choral conducting and performing, musical theatre, and composing music for film, television, stage, and the concert hall. Brian has twice received Vancouver's Jessie Richardson Award for original theatre music, and his choral music is performed worldwide.
As a vocalist, Brian performs with his jazz quartet at festivals, clubs, and in concert. He also performs with Dawn Pemberton and Karla Mundy in the vocal a cappella trio, TriVo.
For eight seasons, Brian directed Vancouver's popular multi-faith Universal Gospel Choir. Currently, he directs the 100-voice City Soul Choir in Vancouver, and the 100-voice Island Soul Choir in Parksville, BC. He is well known for his lively choir workshops, excellent conducting skills and gift for bringing out the best in choirs, and for his exhilarating and inspiring choral compositions.
Brian is on the faculty of Studio 58, Langara College's professional theatre school. He is also a learning leader with the Next Institute, using music, theatre, and drawing as tools for organizational training.
As a speaker, educator, and facilitator, Brian takes the elements of creativity, intuition, and improvisation from the performing arts and transforms these elements into powerful, interactive group experiences that develop leadership, innovation, and teambuilding. His programs include groundbreaking work, such as using musical improvisation to enhance leadership and teams, and using the voice as a tool for personal development. Brian brings spontaneity, humour, and originality into all of his presentations. Participants experience growth not only in their work, but in all areas of their lives.
Brian lives in Victoria, with his wife, Patricia, and their pet.
As a vocalist, Brian performs with his jazz quartet at festivals, clubs, and in concert. He also performs with Dawn Pemberton and Karla Mundy in the vocal a cappella trio, TriVo.
For eight seasons, Brian directed Vancouver's popular multi-faith Universal Gospel Choir. Currently, he directs the 100-voice City Soul Choir in Vancouver, and the 100-voice Island Soul Choir in Parksville, BC. He is well known for his lively choir workshops, excellent conducting skills and gift for bringing out the best in choirs, and for his exhilarating and inspiring choral compositions.
Brian is on the faculty of Studio 58, Langara College's professional theatre school. He is also a learning leader with the Next Institute, using music, theatre, and drawing as tools for organizational training.
As a speaker, educator, and facilitator, Brian takes the elements of creativity, intuition, and improvisation from the performing arts and transforms these elements into powerful, interactive group experiences that develop leadership, innovation, and teambuilding. His programs include groundbreaking work, such as using musical improvisation to enhance leadership and teams, and using the voice as a tool for personal development. Brian brings spontaneity, humour, and originality into all of his presentations. Participants experience growth not only in their work, but in all areas of their lives.
Brian lives in Victoria, with his wife, Patricia, and their pet.